The challenge was conducted in two stages. Key dates highlighted below.

Stage 1

Submissions open

September 23, 2022
Entrants invited to submit prototypes and accompanying proposals for digital tools that improve the career navigation experience for adult learners.

Virtual information session

October 13, 2022
The U.S. Department of Education and the Future Finder team hosted a virtual information session to share more about the challenge and answer entrant questions.

Virtual panel

November 10, 2022
The Future Finder team hosted a virtual panel discussion with subject matter experts.

Submissions close

December 15, 2022
Submissions closed on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Finalists announced

March 2023
Five finalists received $50,000 each and an invitation to join the Stage 2 accelerator. Each finalist also received an additional $10,000 to support accelerator activities.

Stage 2

Accelerator

March 2023 - September 2023
Finalists participated in a virtual accelerator, which offered access to virtual resources, mentorship from experts, and other support to help them build and test their tools. The accelerator kicked off with an in-person boot camp.

Judging

Fall 2023
Finalists submited their market-ready tools and accompanying proposals for review. A judging panel reviewed submissions against the Stage 2 criteria.

Demo Day

September 2023
Finalists presented at a Demo Day in Washington D.C.

Winners announced

December 2023
One grand-prize winner received $500,000, and one runner-up received $250,000.

Beyond the challenge

We are here

Deployment

Through late 2024
The Future Finder team supports winners as they deploy their solutions across the adult ed ecosystem. This includes guidance around outcomes measurement, communications, and sustainability planning.